Buying a family car is often a matter of little things that make daily life easier. Kia seems to have understood that with the launch of the new Carens Clavis HTE EX variant. Priced from Rs 12.55 lakh ex-showroom, this new trim quietly fills an important gap in the lineup.
The biggest talking point here is the sunroof. For the first time, Kia is providing a sunroof with the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol Carens Clavis. Until now, buyers choosing this engine had to miss out on it. With the HTE EX, that is no longer the case, and it gives a more premium look to the cabin, especially for families.
The HTE EX is offered only as a 7-seater and is available across all three internal combustion engines.
- Petrol 1.5 litre naturally aspirated Rs 12.54 lakh
- Petrol 1.5 litre turbo at Rs 13.41 lakh
- Diesel 1.5 litre at Rs 14.52 lakh
All versions are available with a manual gearbox.
Along with the sunroof, Kia has added features that are important in day-to-day use. Automatic climate control is an aid to cabin comfort in varying weather conditions. LED DRLs and LED position lamps give the car a more modern appearance. Inside, LED cabin lamps provide better visibility at night. The driver also gets an auto up and down power window, which adds a touch of convenience.
Mechanically, there is nothing new. The engines, ride quality and overall driving experience are the same as before. This update is obviously aimed at comfort and features rather than performance.
Kia says this new trim is a direct response to customer feedback. By providing popular features such as a sunroof and auto AC at a lower price point and across all engines, the Carens Clavis becomes a more well rounded option in the family MPV space.
In simple terms, the Carens Clavis HTE EX allows you to be more comfortable in everyday life without any hassle. It does not try to be flashy. It just adds the things many buyers were already asking for and that is what makes it a sensible update.